Art and theater reviews covering Seattle to Olympia, Washington, with other art, literature and personal commentary.
If you want to ask a question about any of the shows reviewed here please email the producing venue (theater or gallery) or email me at alec@alecclayton.com. If you post questions in the comment section the answer might get lost.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

bad week

Last chance shows

It's been a bad week. I spent five days in the hospital with a disease I'd never before heard of and don't want to ever come across again. It's called rhabdomyolisys, and it's a nasty bitch. I'll write more about that in another post, but first I have to mention the art and theater reviews I never got to write.

Scheduled for Thursday's Weekly Volcano was a review of the animal show at Tacoma Art Museum. This is the last weekend for "The Secret Life of Animals." If you don't get to see it, you're not missing a lot. Most of it is just pictures of animals, competently done but not artistically outstanding. On the other hand, if you're going to the museum anyway to see one of the other shows, such as the Impressionist show of the Neddy (both of which are definitely worth seeing), then take some time to see the animal show as well. If nothing else, Deborah Butterfield's horse sculptures are worth taking a look at. Some of my artist friends are not impressed. They say her sculptures are gimmicky. Yes, they capture the essence of being a horse in an almost uncanny way with pieces of scrap metal or driftwood. The gestures and positions are amazingly horse-like. But that's not necessarily art. Imitation of life has never impressed me as an artistic virtue. On the other hand, there's something about the way Butterfield's horses are so incredibly horse-like and simultaneously so true the nature of the materials they are made from that I find very impressive. See for yourself.

Other works in this show that I particularly like include a couple of little prints by Eugene Delacroix. This show ends Sunday. Check it out if you can.

For my theater review column I was scheduled to review "Brunch" by Eliot Weiner at Tacoma Little Theatre. I was especially saddened that I didn't get to see this one because it is a Northwest premiere of a play written by one of our own area playwrights. I've seen plays directed by and starring Eliot Weiner, and I have tremendous admiration for his work.

Here's the press release quoted in its entirety: Tacoma Little Theatre is thrilled to be presenting BRUNCH -- a hilarious play by local playwright Elliot Weiner – opening June 18. Weiner is also a regional actor and director. His directing credits most recently include Neil Simon's THE STAR SPANGLED GIRL, GREATER TUNA and A TUNA CHRISTMAS. On stage, Weiner has most recently been seen as Selsdon Mobray (the Burglar) in NOISES OFF and as Morrie in TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE.

Hailed by reviewers as, “...an exceptional new play,” and “...funny, warm, and fast-paced,” BRUNCH introduces us to three friends who regularly meet for brunch – until their tradition is challenged by three new friends who join the group. The ever-changing relationships are very funny – and challenging -- as friendships often are.

Tacoma Little Theatre, founded in 1918, is the oldest theatre in the west. The theatre is located at 210 North I Street in Tacoma. BRUNCH runs from June 18 through June 27, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00. All tickets are $15.00. To reserve seats, or for more information, please call 253-272-2281 or visit www.tacomalittletheatre.com.

One last statement about this play: Scott C. Brown is one of the best dramatic and comedic actors in the South Sound; one of the other best is Eliot Weiner -- so when they team up, the result has got to be great. I regret that I wasn't able to see it and hope someday I'll get another chance. Meanwhile, you have two more opportunities to see "Brunch" tonight and tomorrow afternoon.

Welcome!

I get paid for reviews in newspapers that I then post here, but I do many reviews and other articles that I don't get paid for. If you enjoyed reading them, please put something in the tip jar. Everything helps - thanks!

Subscribe to my blog

About Me

I am an artist and writer. My paintings are shown primarily in galleries in Tacoma and Olympia, Washington. I write an art review column and arts features for the Weekly Volcano, a community theater review column for The (Tacoma) News Tribune and regular arts features for Thurston Talk (Olympia).
My published novels are:Return to Freedom, Reunion at the etside, The Backside of Nowhere, The Wives of Marty Winters, Imprudent Zeal and Until the Dawn. I've also published a book on art, As If Art Matters. All are available on amazon.com and http://www.claytonworkspublishing.com.
I grew up in Tupelo and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and have been living in the Pacific Northwest since 1988 where I am active in many progressive organizations such as PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).